June 10, 2018 @ 7 p.m.

Jane Gire

Green Piece

Soon we found ourselves alone in the office. We both were picking up cans and bottles left over from the planning party. We were both standing over the glass recycling bin. Our eyes met long and hard; it was the kind of eye contact that changes things. My hands were shaking so hard, one of the bottles I was holding slipped out of my hands and fell into the bin clanking and banging all the way down until it smashed onto the bottles below. We looked into the bin, back to each other and then his lips smashed onto mine.

Sarah Matsui

Hello, Boar – You Must Be Hungry

It’s 1994 in Hawaii, the water is cold, the sky is velvety black, and six-year-old Sarah is night diving with her dad. When something bright green flashes ahead, he takes off with his flashlight and spear, and leaves Sarah to fend for herself in the middle of the Pacific. Maybe later she can ask questions about identity, family, and what stories get passed down. But for now, she’s focused on staying afloat.

Kenny Yun

Klingon for Mom

It’s 1:30 a.m. Kenny is paralyzed on the couch. Bay Area new-agers told him to move on so it should be easy. Texting him memes of unicorns shitting, zen quotes, and rainbows fixes everything, right? But mom died. He can’t move. Lying there for nine hours. Nothing has worked for grief but willing to try anything. He crawls off the couch. Lights candles. Burns incense. Chants Klingon.

Nina G

Stutterer Interrupted: The Making of a Stuttering Stand Up Comedian

“You need to get up at that open mic you’re going to,” Nina said to the man she was dating who stuttered like she did. “Being a stuttering stand up comedian would be hot!” He showed no interest in comedy, but Nina did. In fact, being a comedian was her secret fantasy since she was a girl. As a disability advocate she encouraged others to follow their dreams. Something she did quite skillfully. Wasn’t it about time that Nina followed hers? She could be the world’s only stuttering female comedian. No, wait, that’s a bad idea. Too hard. Though she could try it once. Why not just once?